3.7 Stars

The book begins with an introduction by the editors. It helped adjust my expectations as I thought this would be a murder mystery. While the stories do have ‘death’ in some form, the approach is varied and left to the author’s perspective. The settings are also varied – historical, contemporary, countryside, city, India, UK, Ireland, etc. Some stories are stronger than others, which is to be expected in an anthology. 

As always, I rated each story individually with comments written after reading the piece. 

What happens during a Christmas party at a bookstore? This is an interesting piece with a bit of chuckle and dry humor. The approach to murder is definitely different from what’s expected. A decent start to the collection. 

Set in 1898, the story deals with a pompous but clever businessman and his Christmas dinner. It is easy enough to guess the events but the writing keeps you hooked. 

What She Left Me by Tina Baker – 4 Stars 

The protag arrives at her childhood home after her mother’s death before Christmas. There’s a lot of trauma and grief to process. However, there also seems to be something else she needs to do. A heavy story where death features prominently and a reveal that may or may not be resolved. Though this is not a mystery, I rate it high for the narration. 

Gary and his girlfriend end up driving back home in a blizzard. Their arguments have soured things between them but the couple has a major concern to deal with when they are stranded in the middle of nowhere. Presented in Gary’s third-person POV, the plot builds slowly and reaches the final high. Though it is easy to predict for the fans of this genre, the setting is atmospheric and the narration gripping. 

The Edge House has a history, one, Yeats, the new owner, wants to use it to raise funds for renovation. However, when tragedy strikes, the mystery may remain unsolved forever. This is historical fiction set in Ireland. It is atmospheric and dark. 

This is a painful read of what a parent goes through when their kidnapped child doesn’t return for years. While it is not a mystery, it has death, so fits the anthology (according to the foreword). 

(TW: kidnapped child) 

Sean takes his aunt/ mom Edie to a small town to help solve a case. Edie is known for her puzzle-solving talent and helped many investigations. Can she crack this one too? How will this Christmas end? A proper murder mystery with clues, police, and some deaths. I’ll have to check if the Edie is part of any series. Would love to read more books with her. 

This is a short and funny dangerous story about a Christmas party and something that goes wrong. Not much detail or backstory but it is not necessary. The writing has a humorous note, which lightens up the story and turns it into a semi-farce. 

Upon a Midnight Clear by Tom Mead – 3 Stars 

This is a standalone mystery with the lead detective, Joseph Spector, who has a mystery series to his name. The historical setting, the possibility of a ghost, and the Christmas party are well done. However, due to the word limit, I believe, the info dump at the end is too much. I’ll check out the series, though. 

A widowed woman, her daughter, and teeny granddaughter go to their family’s favorite hotel for Christmas to follow the same tradition. However, this one leads to interesting developments. A nice story with a mellowed narration; suits the main character. 

Joseph Snow gets an email about being on the Naughty List. Is it a prank, scam, or something sinister? This is more of a thriller than a cozy mystery. It sustains the suspense with enough tension and delivers a strong ending. 

A classic locked room mystery featuring Inspector Persis Wadia of the Malabar House series (I need to read it). How did the sixty-year-old Harriet die in a locked room? Who killed her, and why? The mystery is kept simple which works for the word count. The writing style is fun to read. 

What happens when a Christmas card comes with something extra? Tilly knows what it is but she has some decisions to make. Well, I like the story and the tone, though I wanted a little more at the end. 

Snow, isolated cabin, and a blood trial do make a good start for this genre. Ellen might just find something after all! Well! Another thriller-ish story with death during Christmas. The themes are predictable but I like the ending. 

A Deadly Gift by Angela Clarke – 4 Stars 

A locked room mystery where Miriam has to solve the case before she gets arrested. The progress is slow but steady with teeny bits of chuckles thrown into the mix. And there’s a surprise too! Really enjoyed this one. 

What happens when Gary’s determination to not mess up the Secret Santa gift brings more trouble? Told from Gary’s third-person POV, we see a range of emotions and thoughts, leading to the finale. This reads like a semi-thriller. A good one. 

Marley’s Ghost by Sarah Hilary – 4 Stars 

Ninna and Kim go to visit her family for Christmas. It sure would be fun. Right? This is a twisty story but also straightforward. It rests on Ninna’s shoulders and Kim’s eyes. I like it. 

A super short story about a statue and toxic relationships. This was too short to feel anything for anyone. Wonder why they put this at the end. 

To summarize, Death Comes at Christmas combines cozy mystery, suspense, thriller, and slow-burn narratives to create a collection of stories where a death occurs during Christmas. Not all of them have a resolution. Read no more than one or two per day to get the maximum enjoyment out of the book. 

The rating averaged 3.69, a decent number for an anthology with as many stories. The author bios are provided at the end. 

Thank you, Edelweiss+ and Titan Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 2.5 Stars

Cemmy’s life is always under threat. The only safe space for her is the In-Between, the Gray where neither the Council nor the Church can kill her. With her mother’s health failing, Cemmy becomes a thief. However, her latest project lands her and her friends in bigger trouble. 

Cemmy has to work with Chase (and others) to steal an ancient relic hidden by the Church. One wrong step could kill them and the path is filled with twists, landmines, and dead ends. Can she do it? 

The story comes in Cemmy’s first-person POV. 

With a cover and premise like that, I couldn’t resist requesting the book knowing it is YA. Serves me right I suppose! 

The author’s note is at the beginning, which I appreciate. It helped me understand the story to an extent. We also get a short list of the colors and their magic but a detailed list would have been helpful. This magic system is kinda complex without a reference. 

We know how important the beginning is for any book. This one has a great first page until the MC starts to talk to herself too often and provides too many details at once. The first two chapters were heavy, slow, and annoying. Instead of making me feel for Cemmy, I ended up being irritated by her. Easing some weight off these chapters should provide a smoother reading experience. 

Too much data about the magic system (especially when the initial chart isn’t enough) made it a laborious read in the first quarter. I was constantly pairing up colors to determine where the Hues fit and all that. I’m a go-with-the-flow kind of reader. Still, it wasn’t easy. 

The Council and Church part was a little easier. It is similar to religion vs. politicians, church vs. nonbelievers, etc., thingy. Think of something set in ancient Europe. That should give you an idea. 

Some of the side characters are cool. I like Novi; she is spunky, sassy, and a no-nonsense person. Eve and Ezzo are nice. The other girl is also nice. Though we are told there’s a found family trope, the dynamics aren’t really there. Also, lies, secrets, and repetitive wrong decisions are used to advance the plot. 

Chase, is well, supposed to be the hero. He tried. I have to admit that the poor guy tried to be the kind of hero readers would appreciate – morally gray with hidden secrets, a sad past, powerful, handsome, etc. I did like him okay. 

If you haven’t guessed by now, my issue is with the narrator and heroine, Cemmy. Thank god, her self-talk reduced considerably as the story progressed but it was too much in the beginning. I can see why it was necessary but, honestly, that girl cannot carry this plot on her whiny shoulders. Girl’s bi, so that’s the queer angle. For more than half the book, she has a thing for someone but suddenly feels attracted to the MMC. However, this ‘romance’ didn’t feel organic nor did they have much chemistry. 

There are dark elements here. Some of it can make you squeamish. That said, older teens should be able to read it. The ‘romance’ is not detailed either. 

There are a few plot holes, which raise some questions about the whole thing. I wish there was more detail about the world-building, the magic system, and the hierarchy in general. The ending is more HFN, which does align with the overall vibe. 

To summarize, Until We Shatter has an ambitious plot that rests on an angsty teenager and a group of ‘misfits’. You will like it better if you connect with the FMC. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton (Hodderscape), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #UntilWeShatter 

 2.5 Stars

1817 

Margaret Arden would rather be known as a famous author than become a dutiful wife. However, her family needs money, and she needs to marry well to provide for her widowed mother and two younger sisters. Yet, Margaret cannot give up on her dream. She even dares to approach a publisher with her latest manuscript only to be insulted. 

Captain Bridger Dryden is starting over as a publisher after his days in the war. With a wayward rogue for a younger brother, a father suffering from illness, and a crumbling estate, he has much on his mind. When he finds a stray paper with a fragment of a story, he is determined to publish it. Turns out, it was written by none other than the woman he insulted a prior. 

With Margaret and Bridger attending the same wedding at Pressmore Estate, can they find a truce or will things get worse? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Margaret (Maggie) and Bridger. 

Based on the premise and cover, I had some expectations about a young woman trying to establish herself as a writer and finding love along the way, with some drama, of course! However, the drama part took over and diluted the rest of it. 

The beginning should get a solid 4 stars. It establishes the FMC’s situation and character. Though it doesn’t show the MMC in a good light, I was hoping for a good enemies-to-lovers romance and some banter. 

However, too many elements enter the plot – the rascal brother (the MMC’s), an annoyed ex, a dear one sabotaging the new bride’s life, and more drama! While the end lessons are important, they come at the expense of the main characters. 

I could never really feel the hero and heroine’s relationship. It seemed to progress, but I felt nothing. Bridger wasn’t the kind of grump I like, though he ticked all the boxes. I just couldn’t connect with the developments. 

Despite this, I loved the scenes with Violet and Whinny. The book would have been even more boring with them and Ann. 

As an Indian, I appreciate Ann’s backstory. However, I’d have liked it if she and Lane got their own book to explore the details. This wasn’t the book to make a subplot take over the main theme. 

Unfortunately, we don’t get more than a surface-level detail of the hardships faced by women writers to publish their pieces. I don’t need a thesis, but I would have liked it more if the MCs had a short discussion about the process. Even when they actually discuss poetry, we are told they spoke about it. 

There are a couple of love scenes (moderately graphic). Since I didn’t connect with their romance, these scenes didn’t really feel emotional. 

One thing I did like was how the aunts were depicted. Yet, the person who was responsible for all this doesn’t even get a single word! Where is Margaret’s mother? What does she have to say to her daughters? Does she agree with her ‘savior’ sisters? Does she want her daughters to be happy? Is she conflicted and guilty? We know nothing. We only hear the aunts bashing the poor woman because she married for love and was left penniless after her husband’s death. Her active presence would have enhanced the story a lot. That was more important than the scandal and drama. 

A good thing is that the book is fairly easy to read. I finished the majority of it in one sitting. Also, there are tiny quotes from Shakespeare’s works at the beginning of each chapter and many mentions of his plays. Enjoyed those! 

To summarize, Much Ado About Margaret has a great premise but ends up underwhelming with a bigger subplot than the main plot. It’s a small book, so that’s something. 

NGL, I’m surprised that a book by a bestselling author reads like a rough first draft (I know this is uncorrected proof but both are different). Maybe coz this seems to be her first lighthearted romance (GR shows dark historical fiction on her list of works) and the shift in genres wasn’t smooth? 

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group (Ballantine| Dell), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #MuchAdoAboutMargaret 

 4 Stars

Leovander Loveage aka Leo is a scriver, the latest generation of the long-standing Loveage family (gentry). However, he is more comfortable with minor charms, any type of alcohol, and frolicking around; anything to stay away from powerful magic. 

Sebastian Grimm is Leo’s opposite in every way. Belonging to a farming background, he had to and is fighting for his position among the powerful. He doesn’t have time for fun. 

However, when they end up using forbidden magic (unknowingly), Leo and Grimm have to find the counter spell fast. They need someone to do it. This takes them into the dangerous Unique Wood. Leo and Grimm have to work together to dissolve the curse. Can they do it? 

The story comes in Leo’s first-person POV. 

Fun Fact: When I first read the blurb, I saw ‘curmudgeonly rival’ and assumed this was a slow-burn love story of 50-something magicians. Surprise, surprise! This is NA. The MCs are 21+. 

It is the first book in the trilogy, so there’s more to come. The book ends more like an episode, so there isn’t a huge cliffhanger or suspense but there’s enough to make us want to know more. 

This a cozy romantasy with a super slow burn, so we see the MCs bickering almost throughout. There really isn’t much romance, which is more than fine for me. Given their ‘relationship’, I’m glad it is taking time to shift gears. Romance can happen in the next book. 

The world-building is just right – not extensive but not so pale that we cannot imagine the setting. Think of something like old England with the rich vs. poor, Oxford or Cambridge with a handful of guys from underprivileged backgrounds, etc., but where magic is an integral part of the system. However… why do we not a have map for this? 

The magic system is explained well. Whether or not we like it, depends on us. I like the concept which seems to be a sort of distribution of power. 

Leo as a narrator can be entertaining and annoying. He is meant to be flawed, so if you keep that in mind, the story will be enjoyable. Lemme tell you that he can get on your nerves more than a few times. Also, I have grave concerns about his liver. The amount of alcohol he drinks can fill an ocean (or three). 

Grimm is your typical grump – handsome, brooding, talented, etc. He is very particular in following rules but is of course not perfect. I alternated between being annoyed at Grimm and Leo, so methinks the balance is good overall. 

A few side characters are interesting but don’t have much space due to the change in plot development. I hope to meet them (especially Agnes and Sybilla) in the next book. 

The pacing is a bit uneven. The plot does progress even if we tend to go in circles about a certain important aspect. I can see why it had to be kept a secret until the end. 

There’s some humor, and as with many books, it is not always funny. But then, humor is subjective. I found some antics childish and had to remind myself I’m not exactly the target audience (NA fantasy rarely works for me). 

The last quarter is quite interesting. I like the music concept and its appeal on… shhh! No spoilers! 

To summarize, Sorcery and Small Magics is a good debut and reads fairly well. Thanks to the low stakes, most of the book is easy to read. I would be happy to read the next book to see what’s in store for Leo and Grimm. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group (Orbit), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #SorceryAndSmallMagics 

 3 Stars

One Liner: Okay! Liked the first book better

Millicent Whittenburg has been secretly training as one of the Queen’s ladies to join a deadly mission and find the gang trafficking young women to France. However, she needs to first get out of the horrible betrothal finalized by her evil stepmother. There’s only one way – seduce a man who hates marriage.

Major General Beaufort Drake has scars on his body and a rock for his heart. While the war gave him the scar, his then fiancée’s betrayal made him hate women and stay away from matrimony. However, Millie’s attempts to escape her fate stir a few feelings in him.

With both on the same secret mission, a marriage of convenience might benefit them, even if they realize their hearts are at risk of loving the other.

The story comes in the third-person POV of Millie and Beau (Drake).

My Thoughts:

The book works as a standalone though the characters have met in the earlier one. Reading that is not mandatory but could help see that the MCs had a couple of conversations (banter of sorts).

This series is predominantly steamy romance (~4). The mystery and danger are a subplot and take center stage only in the last quarter. The writing has a contemporary flavor as most books in this genre tend to be.

There’s quite a lot of drama in this one – evil stepmother, shitty exes (jealousy and all that), a struggling relationship (or the lack of it) between the main characters, the mystery of the gang, etc. Some of it works.

For me, the bright spot was Billy Bright, the young lad from book one. Boy, the kid brightened up the scenes whenever he was around. Lady Phillipa, once again, makes her presence felt. I hope she gets her own book.

While the previous book also had a dark backstory for the FMC, the chosen track in this book did not appeal to me. A certain scene, especially around 15% was unexpected. What made sense in the previous book doesn’t work here since the characters and the resolutions are different. Just look at that yellow cover and the flowery design on it. I didn’t expect something this triggering to happen. What’s worse is that the person responsible doesn’t even pay for their actions. No justice! Also, after a point, the issue isn’t even discussed again.

There’s one more random piece of information about a different character that’s revealed and left hanging. Possible that it will be tackled in the next book. Since I did guess a bit from the earlier scene, I knew what the trigger would be. It might affect other readers, though.

Quite a few issues are supposed to be presumed as settled (sorted off page). This doesn’t make the ending as satisfying as it should be. I wanted a more comprehensive approach to tying up at least the major subplots. Only one gets a sort of resolution.

To summarize, A Lady's Lesson in Scandal has its moments but doesn’t appeal to me as much as the previous book in the series. I had high hopes for this since I liked both characters, but the execution wasn’t great. Hopefully, things will be better in the next book. Fingers crossed!

Thank you, Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley
 

 3 Stars

Catherine Lipton is a type-A mathematician who needs lists, a schedule, and an orderly life. Being early for her meetings is her idea of being on time. After living a free-spirited and unpredictable life in her childhood, Catherine clings to order to stay sane. That’s why Luca Morelli, the handsome but casual doorman of her apartment, annoys her. He doesn’t seem to understand the need for order and structure. 

However, when Catherine somehow disappears from the government records and doesn’t seem to exist, her world spirals out of control. With her new teaching position at stake and no one to believe her, Catherine has to take Luca’s help to sort out the problem. Soon, she realizes that her missing identity is helping her find the ‘real’ Catherine. 

The story comes in Catherine’s first-person POV. 

The premise was interesting, and I expected something similar to Miranda in Retrograde but with a touch of magic realism. While the beginning was good, the book skimmed the surface almost throughout despite having enough elements to add depth. 

Catherine was well done, and I did identify with her need for lists, plans, and the desire to not be late for important events. Her vulnerabilities and the instability of her childhood give a clear idea about her personality. Her yearning to connect with the other parent and know more also comes across well. 

However, the other characters don’t do enough to enhance any of this. Luca, for all his charm and helpful nature, ends up without much depth. He needed to be complex to support the FMC’s growth and introspection. Instead, it felt like the choice had to be between this and that. Life rarely works so! The aim should be to highlight the importance of balancing order with flexibility and self with community. For this, Luca had to start simple but become someone capable of proving to Catherine that she could have both. 

Let’s be honest. Catherine wasn’t really off the mark. Help is what we do beyond our work, not instead of it. Some basic responsibilities have to be taken care of at some point. 

I liked how the book showed the difference in attitude when a person’s identity proof is threatened. In a world where we are who we claim to be only when the documents (despite so many fake IDs) support the claim, it can be a nightmare for a genuine person to be considered a fraud. 

That said, the chemistry between the lead couple wasn’t great. I knew they were meant to be, so I went with the flow. Apart from that, I didn’t really feel the urge to root for them. Not much banter either. At least the romance was pretty much closed-door, so that was an advantage here. 

The last quarter also could have been a lot better. A lot is revealed in a few pages, which doesn’t give enough time for everything to sink in. Need more interaction between Catherine and the parent, more heartfelt conversations, and a sustained realization on her part that the choice was either/ or and she could have all of it with some slight adjustment. Simply put, the story is missing nuance which elevates good to great. 

Lastly, why is the western society intent on wiping out our identities and replacing them with a convenient blanket term ‘South Asia’? If Luca is Italian and not Mediterranean or European and the other characters are Americans rather than North Americans, why reduce others to vague terms? Would it hurt to use a specific identity? Couldn’t Dr. Gupta be an Indian? Couldn’t Radhika be a Sri Lankan or a Bangladeshi Hindu? The Indian subcontinent is not South Asia just because some ‘academics’ hate us. 

And oh, I hope the timeline mess has been sorted. The days, weeks, months, etc., none of it seem to give a clear picture of the duration. The puzzle pieces are out of place! 

To summarize, Wish I Were Here has some worthy moments but lacks the depth or nuance to enhance the plot. I wish it was better executed. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #WishIWereHere 

 4.3 Stars 

Lady Theodosia Balfour aka Theo is out of options. Her stepsister, Beatrice, the newly crowned princess who married Prince Duncan is telling everyone that Theo, her sister, and her mother are evil. Though Theo knows this isn’t the entire truth, she can do nothing as her life becomes a mess. Her mother forces her betrothal with an aging and pompous Duke to save them from bankruptcy. 

A desperate Theo does the only thing she can – summon a fairy godmother to help her. If a fairy can help her stepsister, she sure can help Theo, right? However, the fairy (Cecily) is less of a godmother and more of a stunning vision in yellow with a cunning attitude. The fairy is willing to help Theo, but only after seeing the proof of Theo’s goodness. With assistance from the fairy’s assistants – Phineas, a flirty human-turned-mockingbird, and grumpy Kasra, a fox shapeshifter, Theo has to complete three tasks and prove she is worthy of the fairy’s help. 

Well, it should be easy enough, right? 

The story comes in Theo’s third-person POV. 

I knew I had to read this the moment I saw the cover. The premise made me even more curious to find out how the author spun Cinderella’s plot and enhanced it.  

For me, a retelling/ spin-off loses merit when it simply flips the good as bad and vice versa or when the so-called evil characters are made squeaky clean, and whitewashed beyond recognition. A good re-creation should add depth to the characters and freshness to the plot while retaining the essence of the original. Though this book sometimes straddles the line, it settles comfortably on the right side, thanks to the FMC. 

I guessed the book would have a slower pacing and adjusted my expectations. The first quarter is indeed slow as we meet the characters and explore the settings. However, it picks up pace once the fairy enters. 

The highlight of the book is how it sustains sassy humor (even if it feels a bit excessive at times but necessary for the character arc). Theo is a lot of things and though she is supposed to be the wicked stepsister, I could see her vulnerability almost from the beginning. She is a flawed character learning to become a better person as she has new experiences. 

The book deals with themes like toxic family relationships (mother & sister, between sisters), bullying, societal expectations, presumptions, greed, jealousy, main character syndrome, etc. 

This works well as a cozy fantasy, though I wouldn’t have minded a little more detail about the fairy world. The tone borders on YA (probably coz Theo is a teenager). There isn’t much romance as such, though we do see some ‘moments’. 

Cecily is a terrific fairy. Need more of her in the next book! The supporting characters are pretty much one-dimensional but do the job. Maybe some of them will get more depth in the next book. 

A few dialogues are longish, though we can see these are necessary and have to be said. The last 20% packs a punch with more reveals, twists, and developments. It also shows how the plot had been planned and structured to reach the desired endpoint (I won’t be surprised if the author worked it in reverse). A couple of triggers too. 

While I didn’t expect the story to continue in the next book (I hoped it would be standalone spinoffs), I can’t complain. The book ends just the way it should – a good conclusion to the first part but leaving out enough to wonder where it would go from here. 

To summarize, How to Summon a Fairy Godmother is a solid debut and an entertaining read with many introspective moments. Can’t wait to read the sequel (please don’t keep me in suspense for long). Just hope there won’t be any triangles (or if present, they are handled well). 

Thank you, NetGalley and Orbit, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #HowToSummonAFairyGodmother 

 4 Stars 

Harriet White decides to stick to her job as Holmes’ secretary, sending the same standard reply to the countless letters received by the Baker Street building society. However, curiosity gets the better of her when she receives a cryptic telegram about the famous writer St John. 

Turns out, Philip St John has been seeing ghostly apparitions and is inching closer to his demise. Some of the residents at the Thurmwell Manor believe it’s the curse. Harry (Harriet) takes up the case on behalf of the famous fictional detective. With Oliver helping her, she needs to save Philip before it’s too late. However, danger lurks everywhere! 

The story comes in Harry’s third-person POV. 

I like this better than the previous one! 

The book should work as a standalone but it would help to read the first in the series since there’s a definite improvement overall. However, the little snippets (some repetition, which is necessary for new readers) provided whenever necessary do the job. 

The story starts almost immediately after the previous case ends (maybe a few days later). The beginning (~10%) is a little slow but soon, we get into a steady pace. 

The mystery doesn’t start right away, though we get some information about it. I like that the culprit is not immediately obvious but is easy to guess once you get some clues. It is well-handled for the genre and there’s no info dump. 

There are two side tracks. Both take the lead from the previous book. While one is easier to follow, the other can cause a few questions if you haven’t read the book. I like the developments here. More will come (I hope), and we get what we’ve been waiting for! 

The arcs of both characters (Harry and Oliver) are getting better, so my expectations from the series have climbed up a couple of inches. Romance hasn’t occurred yet. It will, so just have to wait and watch. 

The book ends with a teeny yet strong lead for the next one. I am excited! After all… nope. Won’t reveal anything. ;) 

To summarize, The Cursed Writer is a solid second entry in the series and feels much better than the previous one. Can’t wait for book three! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheCursedWriter 

 

 3.5 Stars

Charlotte Calhoun has avoided Hayden Porter, her brother’s best friend after he rejected her love and broke her heart. Now, Charlotte is on her way to attend her brother’s bachelor party. It’s Christmas too, the most favorite time of the year for the Calhoun family. Charlotte tells herself she would do whatever possible to act normal around Hayden. 

Hayden is a single dad to an adorable little girl and a sports coach at a college. He has no time for romance or love. However, he cannot help but want to be with Charlotte. His feelings for her haven’t been casual for a long time. 

With the impending Christmas and the wedding, Charlotte and Hayden also have to navigate their feelings for each other and decide what they want from life. 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Charlotte and Hayden. 

Well, I wanted to like it more than I did! 

The Calhouns are crazy about Christmas. The Christmas-obsessed family is also C-centric – Christopher, Claire, Christian, and Charlotte. Thank god, Christian’s girl is named Penny. Though I don’t like it when more than one character has names starting with the same alphabet, I found this cheeky. Also, the parents don’t have a major role, so less confusion all around. 

The blurb makes it clear about what to expect from the FMC. Her love for the guy shines throughout the book. Her POV was enjoyable with genuine emotions. Her reactions feel appropriate since her feelings for the MMC are a (major) part of her. 

Fortunately, in the very first (second) chapter from the MMC’s POV, we know about his feelings for the FMC. I liked it as it wasn’t some ‘oh why didn’t I see you this way before’ which doesn’t always work well. 

However, I’m not a fan of Hayden. I liked him enough initially even if the repetition got on my nerves. But well, let’s just say he needed to be a lot better. Not impressed, dude! We have some great book boyfriends out there. He is not on that list. 

I also feel the characters could have had a little more depth since they have been crafted to carry the book. There’s potential but somehow a majority of it is limited to surface-level stuff aka lust. I don’t complain about steam in books. However, this one needed less steam and more genuine interactions. Scenes where they truly deepen the bond (like that conversation about how much he hurt her years ago).  

The middle drags. Yep. Though there’s some plot progress, we seem to go in circles with the MCs circling each other. I would have loved a couple of more scenes with the family. After all, the side characters (Christian, Penny, & Garrett) were great. Heck, give us some scenes with Gwen instead of telling us about it. 

I could guess what would get messed up in the last quarter. There are clues to it. However, the execution made me dislike the MMC even more. Flawed characters are okay but I think I’m over this kind of hero. They no longer appeal to me. 

There’s an epilogue of sorts, which is good. Somehow, I wasn’t that impressed. In fact, my favorite scenes in this quarter were the ones with the family members. Go figure! 

To summarize, Christmas Sweater Weather has great potential and shines in parts but doesn’t meet my expectations. While it is a cute read with fun Christmasy things, it could have been so much better! 

Not sure if the problem is because the characters are in their mid to late 20s. They are projected to be mature beyond their age but don’t act like that often. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #ChristmasSweaterWeather 

 3 Stars

One Liner: Could have been better!

 1885

A young woman is on the run from authorities for the murder of a young man. She plans to escape to London but collides with a stranger and ends up breaking her ankle. The stranger claims she is his wife and saves her life. The young woman is thankful and agrees to act as his wife. However, she soon realizes that the stranger's wife was branded a witch. 

Being the mistress of Ravenswood Manor is not easy, with strange events happening around her. Whom should she trust? Did she end up in a worse place than before?  

The story comes in the third-person POV. 

I enjoyed the author’s previous two books (No. 23 Burlington Square and At the Stroke of Midnight) and had high hopes for this one. Unfortunately, the terrific premise was given an average execution. 

Firstly, what I liked about the book – 

The setting delivers the Gothic vibes it promised. It is dark, dirty, and suffocating. There’s a bit of animal cruelty as well, though the mentions are limited to what is necessary for the plot. The atmosphere is spot on. 

Bran is such a terrific pet. The crow ends up with more personality than some of the characters (take what you will from this statement). 

The beginning is great and hooks the reader right away. It establishes the conflict and sets the stage for drama and intrigue. 

The romance is not explicit or excessive. While I still wish for a few more interactions between them, it doesn’t overpower the plot most of the time. 

However, things started to go downhill pretty soon. Here’s why – 

We get extensive snippets about the past from another character’s third-person POV. This could be the young woman or not. While I was initially curious, by the halfway mark, I had enough of it. All this is filler content and unwanted. 

A better approach would have been to provide the backstory in three chapters – one to establish the details, the second to deal with the conflict, and the third for the reveal. That way, we would have saved around 50 pages (or more). 

Marcus and Real Luna could have gotten a chapter or two each to add depth to their arcs. Except for being the brooding, handsome, heartbroken man, Marcus doesn’t do much. The real Luna is worse since we don’t even get to see her. 

A lot of space has been wasted on a character that pretty much went nowhere. Not to mention the repetition that weighed down the pacing and made this move slower than a snail.  

The side characters like Mr. and Mrs. Webber also could have gotten some detailing. A couple of more scenes in the village would have made it easier to support the sudden developments at the end. Right now, it sounds strange and out of character. 

For books with paranormal and witchy themes, it is better to go full into the vibe. Going this way and that doesn’t help much. Sustaining the effect is important, irrespective of the characters’ opinions. 

To summarize, The Ravenswood Witch has immense potential but ends up underwhelming and slow, with more fluff than substance. However, it will suit your needs if you want an atmospheric read for the season. 

Of course, I will read the author's next book. 

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley